Calling out all wizards and witches! The Chess.com Spell Chess Championship is the next event of the Chess.com Community Championships. The event takes place from July 15 to July 17 and features $2,500 in prizes.
Spell Chess is what happens when magic meets regular chess. In this variant, players can use two potions to cast spells and bamboozle their opponents. By either freezing parts of the board or empowering pieces to jump over others, players can use supernatural tactics to outwit their opponents in this chaotic variant. Here’s IM Eric Rosen explaining how the variant works and playing some games:
The event starts with eight qualifiers spread across July 15 and 16. Each qualifier is a 75-minute arena with a 3+2 time control. From party magicians to powerful spell casters, everyone is invited to participate. To join the event, check the qualifier schedule and click the Join button.
While spells are welcome, we ask players to steer clear of Dark Magic. To ensure a safe playing environment for everyone, we may request that players join a video call for fair-play checks. Players who join the call must set up two cameras from different angles in the room. Players who refuse to comply shall be banished from our magic realm.
The winner of each qualifier arena earns the right to play in the Final on July 17. The Final is an eight-player double-elimination knockout bracket with a 3+2 time control, where only the players who conjure the mightiest tricks can survive.
Last year, four-time Italian champion GM Luca Moroni Jr. won the Chess.com Spell Chess Championship. The grandmaster defeated Spell Chess specialist Luis Ignacio in a thrilling final, recovering from a two-point deficit to force the match to tiebreaks. Moroni ultimately beat Ignacio to become the undisputed Spell Chess champion, winning the title two years in a row.
Are you excited to enchant the world with your powerful tactics? Then join the qualifiers on July 15 and 16!